Speaking outside the home she shared with the comedian and their three children, she said: “We don’t know yet what happened. He had a strong heart so I don’t think it was a heart attack.

“But we just don’t know until the coroner’s report. Maybe he had a fit, maybe it was his heart, we just don’t know.”

Rik with his wife Barbara

Paramedics were called to Rik's family home in Barnes, West London after make-up artist Barbara dialled 999 around midday.

Police officers arrived shortly afterwards who spoke to the family including the couple's three children, Rosie, 28, Sidney, 26, and 19-year-old Bonnie.

Rik’s body was taken from the house and driven away in a coroner’s office ambulance at around 7pm.

Friends of the star, who was best known for his roles in 'Bottom, 'The Young Ones, and 'Blackadder, said he had never fully recovered following his quad bike accident, which left him in a coma for five days.

Laurence Marks, who co-created the political comedy 'The New Statesman', said Rik’s memory had deteriorated so much that he sometimes didn't recognise friends.

“He made no complaints about being ill that’s why it is such a shock. He doesn’t drink at all. He did all the scenes and we had a wonderful time. Everybody enjoyed his presence.”

Tributes poured in for Rik yesterday, including from Adrian Edmondson, his long-time friend and colleague, who said: “There were times when Rik and I were writing together when we almost died laughing.

“They were some of the most carefree stupid days I ever had, and I feel privileged to have shared them with him.

“And now he’s died for real. Without me. Selfish b*****d.”

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Rik Mayall 1958 - 2014

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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 16: Rik Mayall attends the British Comedy Awards at Fountain Studios on December 16, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)

LONDON - MARCH 20: Actors Rik Mayall and Marsha Fitzalan pose as their comic 1980's TV characters Alan and Sarah B'Stard as they launch the four-month UK tour of the stage adaptation of their satirical TV series ?The New Statesman - Episode 2006: The Blair B'Stard Project' outside the Houses of Parliment, Millbank on March 20, 2006 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Rik Mayall arrives at the British Comedy Awards at the Fountain Studios in London.

Rik Mayall as Alan B'Stard, with Cherie Blair hopefuls in central London, November 27, 2006. Rik Mayall's political alter-ego Alan B'stard is searching for his Tony and Cherie Blair. The comedy actor held an open audition at studios in London this morning to cast the roles of the Prime Minister and his wife in his new show.

SOME OF THE BRITISH COMEDY AWARDS 1993WINNERS, AFTER THE CEREMONY IN LONDON.L-R RICHARD WILSON, JENNIFER SAUNDERS,JOANNA LUMLEY AND RIK MAYALL.

Rik Mayall as Alan B'Stard outside Trafalgar Studios in central London, November 27, 2006. Rik Mayall's political alter-ego Alan B'stard is searching for his Tony and Cherie Blair. The comedy actor held an open audition at studios in London this morning to cast the roles of the Prime Minister and his wife in his new show.

Rik Mayall returns as 'The New Statesman', Alan B'Stard, to launch a national theatre tour, Monday 20 March 2006, outside the House of Commons, central London. The tour begings at the Theatre Royal Brighton on 19 April. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Photo Credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA.

Rik Mayall returns as 'The New Statesman', Alan B'Stard, with Marsha Fitzalan who plays Alan's wife Sarah, to launch a national theatre tour, Monday 20 March 2006, outside the House of Commons, central London. The tour begings at the Theatre Royal Brighton on 19 April. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Photo Credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA.

Rik Mayall returns, with Marsha Fitzalan who plays his wife Sarah, as 'The New Statesman', Alan B'Stard, to launch a national theatre tour, Monday 20 March 2006, outside the House of Commons, central London. The tour begings at the Theatre Royal Brighton on 19 April. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Photo Credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA.

Rik Mayall returns as 'The New Statesman', Alan B'Stard, to launch a national theatre tour, Monday 20 March 2006, outside the House of Commons, central London. The tour begings at the Theatre Royal Brighton on 19 April. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Photo Credit should read: Steve Parsons/PA.

Actor Rik Mayall at the National Television Awards 2005 (NTA), at the Royal Albert Hall, central London.

Comedian Rik Mayall arrives for a private screening of Churchill - The Hollywood Years, at the Soho Hotel in central London.

Rik Mayall arriving at The Odeon Leicester Square, for the British premiere of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.

The Jellikins is to be launched on GMTV breakfast show. Aimed at children between two and five, the Jellikins are six happy loveable, bouncy characters who all live in Jolly Jelly World, the programme will be narrated by comic actor Rik Mayall. 04/07/03 : Actor and comedian Rik Mayall was banned from driving for 90 days, after admitting speeding on a motorway at 113mph. The 45-year-old was caught by a speed gun on the M5 motorway northbound at Weston-super-Mare on April 20. Avon and Somerset road traffic police chased his silver Mercedes car down the motorway and on to the A370 and stopped him at the Bucket and Spade pub. Mayall, of north Kensington, London, was cautioned and police officers took a statement from him which read: I accept what the police officer said and I was not concentrating enough and I thank him for the warning and I will not do it again.

Comedian Rik Mayall arriving at the Odeon Leicester Square, London, for the UK premiere of Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

Actors and comedians Rik Mayall (left) and Ade Edmondson, who star in the film, arrive for the celebrity screening of Guest House Paradiso, at the Warner Village Cinema in Leicester Square, London.

LONDON - JUNE 22: Actor Rik Mayall arrives at the UK Film Premiere of the classic novel by Jules Verne 'Around The World In 80 Days' at Vue West End on June 22, 2004 in London. (Photo by Steve Finn/Getty Images)